Parents Palace in Zi Wei Dou Shu: Parents, Elders and Bosses

What the Parents Palace means

The Parents Palace describes your parents' personalities, how close you are, and how their way of raising you shaped you. Traditionally, Tai Yang in the Parents Palace is linked to a stronger influence from your father; with Tian Liang, there is often an elder who looks after you and likes to give advice; with Qi Sha, your parents may have strong personalities and high standards.

At work, the Parents Palace also covers your relationship with bosses: whether superiors notice and value you, and whether you feel at ease with authority. The Parents Palace is also called the Appearance Palace and is traditionally linked to looks, paperwork and education.

How to read it: the three-sided square

The three-sided square (三方四正) of the Parents Palace is the Parents Palace itself, the Health Palace opposite it, and the Children and Friends Palaces in the trine positions. Because it faces the Health Palace, tradition holds that your constitution is linked to heredity and upbringing; its trine with the Children Palace shows how you pass the previous generation's ways on to the next.

The Parents Palace also sits next to the Life Palace, and together with the Siblings Palace it flanks the Life Palace. Auspicious stars in the palaces on both sides are called a supportive flank (夾命), meaning family support comes easily as you grow up.

Parents Palace and paperwork

Traditionally the Parents Palace also covers documents, contracts, licenses and qualifications. With Hua Ke (化科, recognition), Wen Chang or Wen Qu in the Parents Palace, study and exams often go smoothly and paperwork rarely goes wrong; with Hua Ji (化忌, the area you care about most), double-check the details when signing contracts or applying for documents.

The fourteen main stars in the Parents Palace

Which main star sits in the Parents Palace changes how it plays out. Here is what each of the fourteen main stars means in the Parents Palace; tap a star for its full guide.

Zi Wei

Traditionally, Zi Wei in the Parents Palace suggests opinionated, demanding parents or elders with a deep influence on you; with bosses, too, you value respect and knowing where the lines are.

Tian Ji

Traditionally, Tian Ji in the Parents Palace suggests parents or elders who value thinking and planning and communicate in a rational way; with bosses, explain your reasoning more.

Tai Yang

Traditionally, Tai Yang in the Parents Palace puts extra weight on your bond with your father; elders or bosses tend to be warm-hearted and mindful of face, so public recognition matters to them.

Wu Qu

Traditionally, Wu Qu in the Parents Palace suggests straightforward, practical parents or elders who show care through action; with bosses, results speak loudest.

Tian Tong

Traditionally, Tian Tong in the Parents Palace suggests mild-tempered parents or elders who put little pressure on you; bosses are easy to work with, but you need to seek out chances to grow yourself.

Lian Zhen

Traditionally, Lian Zhen in the Parents Palace suggests strict, principled parents or elders and some push and pull in the relationship; understanding where they're coming from makes talking much easier.

Tian Fu

Traditionally, Tian Fu in the Parents Palace suggests parents or elders who offer support and shelter, and a fairly solid family base; bosses also tend to look after their staff.

Tai Yin

Traditionally, Tai Yin in the Parents Palace puts extra weight on your bond with your mother; elders or bosses tend to be sensitive to feelings, so a little thoughtful attention goes a long way.

Tan Lang

Traditionally, Tan Lang in the Parents Palace suggests lively parents or elders with many interests; you handle bosses with ease, but be sure to deliver on what you promise.

Ju Men

Traditionally, Ju Men in the Parents Palace suggests frequent differences of opinion with parents or elders; listen more and argue less, and understand before you respond.

Tian Xiang

Traditionally, Tian Xiang in the Parents Palace suggests parents or elders who care about propriety and rules; with bosses, doing your part and keeping to times and promises earns the most trust.

Tian Liang

Traditionally, Tian Liang in the Parents Palace suggests parents or elders who offer shelter and guidance, and bosses who look after you; classically it is read as a good bond with elders.

Qi Sha

Traditionally, Qi Sha in the Parents Palace suggests forceful, demanding parents or elders, which taught you independence early; with bosses, earn trust through results.

Po Jun

Traditionally, Po Jun in the Parents Palace suggests big differences in outlook with parents or elders and a relationship that takes work; stay respectful while walking your own path.

Minor stars worth watching in the Parents Palace

Besides the fourteen main stars, minor stars also shift how a palace plays out. Our chart lists them in every palace, so you can compare with your own chart.

Wen Chang and Wen Qu

Schooling, paperwork and exams go more smoothly, and your family places a high value on education.

Tian Kui and Tian Yue

Elders and bosses are likely to take you under their wing and look after you.

Qing Yang and Tuo Luo

Your views can clash with your parents, or the house rules are strict. Talk things through and respect each other.

When the Parents Palace has no main star

With no main star, the Parents Palace is read through the main stars of the opposite palace, the Health Palace. It means your relationship with parents and elders is more flexible, and the way you relate may change with each stage of life; how you get along with bosses also depends more on the setting.

The Four Transformations in the Parents Palace

Hua Lu

A warm bond with parents and elders, and bosses are likely to look after you and promote you.

Hua Quan

Your parents or bosses carry authority and expect a lot, and they influence you deeply. Mutual respect keeps things harmonious.

Hua Ke

A good upbringing that values learning. Study, exams and paperwork go more smoothly.

Hua Ji

You worry about your parents, or your views differ from those of elders and bosses. Talk things through, and double-check the details when signing or handling paperwork.

The Four Transformations: Hua Lu, Hua Quan, Hua Ke, Hua Ji

A ten-year period in the Parents Palace

When a ten-year period (大限) reaches the Parents Palace, your relationships with elders, bosses and institutions matter most. You may meet a manager who values your work, take licensing exams, handle documents and contracts, or need to care for your parents. With auspicious stars or Hua Ke here, paperwork and exams go more smoothly. With Hua Ji, double-check the details when signing contracts or applying for documents.

Making the most of your Parents Palace

Working with your Parents Palace means understanding your upbringing without being defined by it. See how your parents' way of raising you shaped you; keep the good parts and adjust what no longer fits. With bosses, state your views clearly while respecting their role. For important documents and contracts, make a habit of reading carefully before you sign.

Frequently asked questions